Love Story
Introduction
Chords and Rhythm
Song Arrangement
Sing and Play
Song Demo
Melody
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Love Story
Introduction
Chords and Rhythm
Song Arrangement
Sing and Play
Song Demo
Melody
Explore More in English Songs
Introduction
Want to learn some popular tunes from the mid-'90s? Torrins has got you covered! Tune into our guitar song lesson on James Taylor’s version of the 1959 hit Handy Man. This song tutorial is led by our expert teacher, Steve Luciano, who has decades of experience teaching and playing guitar. He breaks down the Handy Man lesson into chords, rhythm, and strumming patterns to make learning this song a smooth process for you.
Fun fact: Did you know this song has been a hit twice? Handy Man was originally recorded by Jimmy Jones in 1959 and became a huge success, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Nearly two decades later, James Taylor recorded his own mellow, acoustic version in 1977, which also became a hit, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Taylor a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. How cool is that?
This version of Handy Man is a great example of James Taylor’s signature acoustic fingerpicking style, incorporating unique harmonies and intricate transitions. If you’re looking for a simpler version, we’ve got that too—check it out on the Torrins website!
Chords Used in Handy Man Guitar Lesson
This song is played in the key of D and features some interesting chord transitions. Here are some of the key chords used:
- Main chords: D, A, and some others.
- When reharmonizing the second verse: Em, F#m7
- Slash chords to add depth and movement: A/C#, G/B, and a few others.
Tune into the complete Handy Man song lesson to know the rest of the chords.
Steve breaks down unique chord transitions specific to this song to help you capture its distinct, smooth sound.
Fingerpicking & Strumming Techniques
Unlike traditional fingerpicking, Handy Man features more of a plucking style—playing bass notes while plucking the strings together for a fuller sound.
- The song starts with pickup notes and incorporates hammer-ons to add subtle dynamics.
- If you’re not comfortable with fingerpicking, you can strum the entire song instead. It still sounds great!
Song Structure & Rhythm
This song follows a classic verse-chorus format.
- Keep an eye on chord transitions, especially when moving between slash chords, as they add a unique colour to the song.
- The multi-angle camera views (focused on fretting, strumming, and a complete overview) help you get a clear, close-up look at all movements –making learning much faster and more effective.
- Make use of tabs and lyrics for a smoother and more structured learning experience.
Why Learn the song Handy Man on guitar?
James Taylor’s Handy Man is a fantastic piece for learning fingerpicking while maintaining a steady rhythm. Plus, it’s an excellent exercise for improving chord transitions and adding finesse to your playing.
FAQs – Handy Man Guitar Lesson
Q1. Do I have to use fingerpicking?
You can strum the entire song if you prefer. However, fingerpicking brings out its full depth.
Q2. How can I make my transitions smoother?
Steve shares specific techniques for transitioning between chords effortlessly. Practising slowly and focusing on finger positioning will help.
Introduction
Torrins brings you another heartfelt country classic—Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson, taught by Mike Dugan. This in-depth lesson covers everything from basic chords to advanced rhythm techniques, making it accessible for both beginners and advanced players.
Fun Fact: Always on My Mind was the Billboard number one country album of the year in 1982. It remained on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart for an astonishing 253 weeks, holding the number one spot for 22 weeks. It even spent 99 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at number two for three weeks!
Chords Used in Always on My Mind
Beginner Chords:
- D, A, Bm, etc (alternative chords provided for those struggling with barre chords)
- Bm/G# and other slash chords (simplified option available)
- Basic downstrumming technique
Advanced Chords:
- Walk-down from Bm barre chord to G, creating a smooth transition
- Em, A, D, and motion chord movement from Em to F#, along with other chord voicings
- Includes A/C# to add depth to the song
Rhythm & Strumming Pattern
Beginner Rhythm:
- Simple downstrumming throughout the song for easy playability
Advanced Rhythm:
- More dynamic strumming pattern: DUDDUD with variations in the upstrokes
- Incorporates subdivisions and expressive chord transitions to match the song’s emotional tone
Song Structure
This song follows a classic country ballad structure:
- Intro
- Verse 1 & 2
- Bridge – Separate versions for beginners and advanced players
- Solo Verse – Melody-driven section
- Bridge Repeat
Solo Section
- Uses the D major scale for advanced players
- Simple yet effective solo incorporating D and Bm/A chords, to name a few
- Captures the melody of the song to create an emotional instrumental moment
Improvisation Techniques
For those wanting to add their own flavour, Mike shares techniques to elevate their playing:
- Walk-down motions to create smoother transitions
- Letting open strings ring for a fuller sound
- Subtle rhythmic variations to match Willie Nelson’s expressive phrasing
Why Learn Always on My Mind?
This lesson is a great way to enhance your expressiveness as a guitarist. Whether you’re learning the basic chords or mastering the advanced transitions, Mike ensures that every player walks away with valuable skills.
FAQs – Always on My Mind Guitar Lesson
Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?
Ans: It’s better suited for intermediate and advanced players, but Mike breaks it down for beginners as well.
Q2. What if I struggle with barre chords?
Ans: Alternative chord shapes are provided for Bm and Bm/G# to make it easier.
Q3. How can I improve my strumming on this song?
Ans: Beginners should start with downstrumming, while advanced players can incorporate upstroke variations and subdivisions for a more dynamic feel.
Q4. Does this lesson include a solo?
Ans: Yes! The solo is based on the D major scale and includes a simple yet effective melody.
Similar Pop Songs
Introduction
Get ready to master another hit song on Torrins—If It's Love by Train. This moderate-level lesson is taught by Steve Luciano, who breaks down the song into easy-to-follow sections. You'll learn about the chords, strumming patterns, and intricate techniques that make this song so engaging. Steve also shares detailed tips on finger placements and rhythm to help you recreate the authentic feel of the original track.
Fun Fact: If It's Love was written on the same day as Train's hit Hey, Soul Sister in New York City. Pat Monahan wrote it as a love song for the band's long-time fans, thanking them for their unwavering support over the years.
Chords Used in If It's Love
The song is tuned half a step down and features a mix of standard and suspended chords. Some of the key chords used include:
- G triad
- G chord
- Gsus4
- Csus4
- D4
- Dsus/F#
- G/B
Tune in to the lesson to learn the other chords that make up this song. Steve carefully explains the finger placements for these chords, especially complex chords like Dsus/F#, to ensure you get the right tone.
Strumming Pattern
The song starts with a drum section, and Steve demonstrates how to simulate that drum feel using strumming techniques.
- In the beginning, the rhythm follows a 16th note pattern: DUDUDUD
- As the song progresses, the pattern shifts to: DDUUUD
Steve emphasises the importance of keeping your right hand moving to maintain a consistent rhythm. He also explains how to incorporate sliding and arpeggios into your strumming to enhance the song's texture.
Song Structure
If It's Love follows a clear and structured format. Tune in to the lesson to understand the arrangement of the song.
In the beginning, Steve uses just 3–4 chords, making it approachable for most players.
As the song progresses, he introduces more complex chords like Dsus/F#, adding depth to the arrangement
Steve concludes the lesson by playing along with the song, demonstrating smooth transitions between sections.
Improvisation Techniques
For more advanced players, Steve teaches how to improvise over the progression using slides and arpeggios. He also explains how to replicate the original feel of the song by experimenting with the rhythm and strumming intensity.
Why Learn If It's Love?
This song is an excellent way to improve your chord transitions and rhythm skills. It also introduces suspended chords and alternate fingerings, helping you build greater versatility in your playing.
Tips to Control Strumming Intensity:
- Keep the beginning section light with gentle strumming.
- Add more intensity in the chorus by strumming harder and using accents.
- Maintain a steady rhythm throughout the song to keep the groove intact.
FAQs – If It's Love Guitar Lesson
Q1. How can I improve my rhythm and timing?
Practice with the backing track and focus on Steve’s tips for simulating the drum section with your strumming.
Q2. Do I need to tune down my guitar?
Yes, the song is tuned half a step down for an authentic sound.
Q3. How can I handle the suspended chords more smoothly?
Steve suggests specific finger placements and transitions to make switching between suspended chords easier.





































